Trains.com

Bad train pictures

77223 views
2468 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 9:40 PM
I for one think the Russian diesels should be placed in a railroad museum as a sort of curiosity. They are rather unique, after all.

With the talk about reporting marks I have another question to add on to this thread. Why do railroads keep old reporting marks on newly painted cars? There are a great deal of centre flows on CP that have been painted with the CP Rail logo, but still have SOO as their reporting mark. I recently saw a CN hopper car that was obviously newly painted because it carried www.cn.ca under the logo. However it still had IC reporting marks. Why don't the railroads change them to reflect the car's new owner? Would it be too much of a hassle to change in the records?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 9:40 PM
I for one think the Russian diesels should be placed in a railroad museum as a sort of curiosity. They are rather unique, after all.

With the talk about reporting marks I have another question to add on to this thread. Why do railroads keep old reporting marks on newly painted cars? There are a great deal of centre flows on CP that have been painted with the CP Rail logo, but still have SOO as their reporting mark. I recently saw a CN hopper car that was obviously newly painted because it carried www.cn.ca under the logo. However it still had IC reporting marks. Why don't the railroads change them to reflect the car's new owner? Would it be too much of a hassle to change in the records?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 1:45 AM
Originally posted by edblysard

Hi Jim and Joe,

Climbed into one, the engineers seat was a barstool top on a pedestal, the conductor and brakeman seat were fold down metal shelves.

All of the control panel switches, both on the stand and the back wall, appeared to be plain old household light switches.
The overhead light had a pullchain on it.
No A/C, or heating unit that I could see or find.

If this is an example of standard Russian mainline freight locomotives, I really pity the crews.

Next time I get out that way, if they are still there I will get you guys some photos.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
[/quote

After reading your post I did alot of think about the Russian locomotives and the Russian people. I can't say enough to credit the Russian people. Your remarks about the spartan cab and its seating, controls and equipment only further my praise for the common Russian worker. I am sure you will agree that we here in this country are absolutely spoiled. Spoiled rotten as many would say. However, the Russian people are hard as nails. They are and have been so for hundreds of years. They have to be to live in their enviornment, not only physicially but emotionally as well. And I bet we don't even realize the half of their hardships. Have you seen the movie "Enemy At the Gates"? If not I highly recommend it. If you have not seen it this movie it will give you a small glimpse of the Russian people's hardships during WW II. I also have a book called, "The Siege of Lenningrad 1941 - 1944" It too will open closed eyes. I may not think much of their government but my heart goes out to the innocent hard working common people of Russia.

As far as the loco goes the poor engineers must have frequent back problems. I also wonder about equipment problems with those locos. I checked out the site that was posted by Sask_T , the pictures just don't help the looks of the locos much.
I am the type of person that just hates to see things go to waste , but from your comments I am not sure there is much hope for these units.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 1:45 AM
Originally posted by edblysard

Hi Jim and Joe,

Climbed into one, the engineers seat was a barstool top on a pedestal, the conductor and brakeman seat were fold down metal shelves.

All of the control panel switches, both on the stand and the back wall, appeared to be plain old household light switches.
The overhead light had a pullchain on it.
No A/C, or heating unit that I could see or find.

If this is an example of standard Russian mainline freight locomotives, I really pity the crews.

Next time I get out that way, if they are still there I will get you guys some photos.
Stay Frosty,
Ed
[/quote

After reading your post I did alot of think about the Russian locomotives and the Russian people. I can't say enough to credit the Russian people. Your remarks about the spartan cab and its seating, controls and equipment only further my praise for the common Russian worker. I am sure you will agree that we here in this country are absolutely spoiled. Spoiled rotten as many would say. However, the Russian people are hard as nails. They are and have been so for hundreds of years. They have to be to live in their enviornment, not only physicially but emotionally as well. And I bet we don't even realize the half of their hardships. Have you seen the movie "Enemy At the Gates"? If not I highly recommend it. If you have not seen it this movie it will give you a small glimpse of the Russian people's hardships during WW II. I also have a book called, "The Siege of Lenningrad 1941 - 1944" It too will open closed eyes. I may not think much of their government but my heart goes out to the innocent hard working common people of Russia.

As far as the loco goes the poor engineers must have frequent back problems. I also wonder about equipment problems with those locos. I checked out the site that was posted by Sask_T , the pictures just don't help the looks of the locos much.
I am the type of person that just hates to see things go to waste , but from your comments I am not sure there is much hope for these units.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 12:09 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


As far as I know, they have never been started, nor have they moved since we towed them out there and parked them.


Ed,
On the website I mentioned ( www.pernet.net/~james1/russian/ ) it states that at one point they had to be moved so that the grass around them could be cut. When they moved them they all started fine and moved without any problems. When the grass was cut they moved them all back.




I looked at the pictures. These locos are now used as switchers and for local freight. It's rare to see them pulling cross-coutry freight today in russia.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 12:09 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Sask_Tinplater

QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


As far as I know, they have never been started, nor have they moved since we towed them out there and parked them.


Ed,
On the website I mentioned ( www.pernet.net/~james1/russian/ ) it states that at one point they had to be moved so that the grass around them could be cut. When they moved them they all started fine and moved without any problems. When the grass was cut they moved them all back.




I looked at the pictures. These locos are now used as switchers and for local freight. It's rare to see them pulling cross-coutry freight today in russia.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 11:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Someone is sure to ask about ... detectors.


Well, I know a bit about how the different kinds of defect detectors work and stuff. I think they're kind of neat, so I read up on them a while ago. One thing I don't know, though...how often do you come across them? Are they maybe 5 miles apart or 100? I've only seen one, personally, as far as I know.

Hope I'm not driving everyone crazy (or crazier) with my questions yet...

--Nora


No Nora you are not. [:)] Keep asking them, and I will too. [:p] You know what they say ... inquiring minds want to know. [;)] Where else can you learn and be entertained at the same time? [:o)] I really enjoy the questions and the answers.

The CSX Engine Fire thread has been interesting today. And if you want to see Jim on his soap box just take a look at the No Tresspassing thread. Jim was a little hot under the collar. [:(!] He has cooled off some now. [^]

If these d*** computer hackers don't stop I'm going to get a gun and start shooting them. I am tired of them trying every 30 seconds to hack my computer. Thank God for firewalls. I can't type two words without being interrupted by the firewall telling me of another hacking attempt. I am past p***** o**. [}:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 11:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Someone is sure to ask about ... detectors.


Well, I know a bit about how the different kinds of defect detectors work and stuff. I think they're kind of neat, so I read up on them a while ago. One thing I don't know, though...how often do you come across them? Are they maybe 5 miles apart or 100? I've only seen one, personally, as far as I know.

Hope I'm not driving everyone crazy (or crazier) with my questions yet...

--Nora


No Nora you are not. [:)] Keep asking them, and I will too. [:p] You know what they say ... inquiring minds want to know. [;)] Where else can you learn and be entertained at the same time? [:o)] I really enjoy the questions and the answers.

The CSX Engine Fire thread has been interesting today. And if you want to see Jim on his soap box just take a look at the No Tresspassing thread. Jim was a little hot under the collar. [:(!] He has cooled off some now. [^]

If these d*** computer hackers don't stop I'm going to get a gun and start shooting them. I am tired of them trying every 30 seconds to hack my computer. Thank God for firewalls. I can't type two words without being interrupted by the firewall telling me of another hacking attempt. I am past p***** o**. [}:)]
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 386 posts
Posted by Nora on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:24 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Someone is sure to ask about ... detectors.


Well, I know a bit about how the different kinds of defect detectors work and stuff. I think they're kind of neat, so I read up on them a while ago. One thing I don't know, though...how often do you come across them? Are they maybe 5 miles apart or 100? I've only seen one, personally, as far as I know.

Hope I'm not driving everyone crazy (or crazier) with my questions yet...

--Nora
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 386 posts
Posted by Nora on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:24 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Someone is sure to ask about ... detectors.


Well, I know a bit about how the different kinds of defect detectors work and stuff. I think they're kind of neat, so I read up on them a while ago. One thing I don't know, though...how often do you come across them? Are they maybe 5 miles apart or 100? I've only seen one, personally, as far as I know.

Hope I'm not driving everyone crazy (or crazier) with my questions yet...

--Nora
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 3:58 PM
If you wanna really be stumped, try remembering all of the car kind codes. I can't even remember them and I work with them everyday...........
Ken
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 3:58 PM
If you wanna really be stumped, try remembering all of the car kind codes. I can't even remember them and I work with them everyday...........
Ken
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 2:37 PM

RE: Reporting Marks

Well, I finally answered my own stupid question. See, I'm learning already.[:p]

All marks for railroads must have the first letter of the mark be the same as the company or road name.

Private Marks are four letters. Privately owned railcars end in X (as in GATX).
All trailer/chassis equipment marks end in Z (as in TIPZ).
All container marks end in U.

Hope somebody besides me didn't know all that.

Mungo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 2:37 PM

RE: Reporting Marks

Well, I finally answered my own stupid question. See, I'm learning already.[:p]

All marks for railroads must have the first letter of the mark be the same as the company or road name.

Private Marks are four letters. Privately owned railcars end in X (as in GATX).
All trailer/chassis equipment marks end in Z (as in TIPZ).
All container marks end in U.

Hope somebody besides me didn't know all that.

Mungo
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:47 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


As far as I know, they have never been started, nor have they moved since we towed them out there and parked them.


Ed,
On the website I mentioned ( www.pernet.net/~james1/russian/ ) it states that at one point they had to be moved so that the grass around them could be cut. When they moved them they all started fine and moved without any problems. When the grass was cut they moved them all back.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 10:47 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by edblysard


As far as I know, they have never been started, nor have they moved since we towed them out there and parked them.


Ed,
On the website I mentioned ( www.pernet.net/~james1/russian/ ) it states that at one point they had to be moved so that the grass around them could be cut. When they moved them they all started fine and moved without any problems. When the grass was cut they moved them all back.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 12:50 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

After all of everyone's dire warnings about what the sparks I saw could have been, I feel awful that I didn't do anything about it...if I see that again, I definitely will. I hope no one has heard of anything bad happening on the NS line (I think it's the Ft. Wayne line) Saturday night in PA or OH. That's where I saw the train. I looked up their emergency number and it's in my cell phone now; hopefully I won't need it.

--Nora


GOOD FOR YOU NORA, We all hope you never have to use them. Don't feel bad. Hopefully, the train would have past a hot box detector and it would have told them about it. When I worked as a car host on steam engine runs the firebox was always setting off the detectors. O K Ed, I guess you can figure out what your next question is. Someone is sure to ask about ... detectors. So get ready. [;)] Actually this isn't the next question I had planned but its seems a natural choice here. And maybe it will help Nora not to feel so bad. [:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, September 1, 2003 12:50 AM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Nora

After all of everyone's dire warnings about what the sparks I saw could have been, I feel awful that I didn't do anything about it...if I see that again, I definitely will. I hope no one has heard of anything bad happening on the NS line (I think it's the Ft. Wayne line) Saturday night in PA or OH. That's where I saw the train. I looked up their emergency number and it's in my cell phone now; hopefully I won't need it.

--Nora


GOOD FOR YOU NORA, We all hope you never have to use them. Don't feel bad. Hopefully, the train would have past a hot box detector and it would have told them about it. When I worked as a car host on steam engine runs the firebox was always setting off the detectors. O K Ed, I guess you can figure out what your next question is. Someone is sure to ask about ... detectors. So get ready. [;)] Actually this isn't the next question I had planned but its seems a natural choice here. And maybe it will help Nora not to feel so bad. [:)]
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 11:57 PM
I' ve seen russian locos, a lot of times, back in Russia. All i can say is most of them are old. But we're talking abount diesel locos. Most lines in Russia are electrified, so about 70% of freight and passenger trains are moved by electic locomotives, which are much newer, cleaner, more powerfull and faster. But they don't have railroad companies like Amtak, UP or BNSF. It's all federally owned and operated.
Ed, it would be nice to see some photos, please.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 11:57 PM
I' ve seen russian locos, a lot of times, back in Russia. All i can say is most of them are old. But we're talking abount diesel locos. Most lines in Russia are electrified, so about 70% of freight and passenger trains are moved by electic locomotives, which are much newer, cleaner, more powerfull and faster. But they don't have railroad companies like Amtak, UP or BNSF. It's all federally owned and operated.
Ed, it would be nice to see some photos, please.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 386 posts
Posted by Nora on Sunday, August 31, 2003 11:19 PM
After all of everyone's dire warnings about what the sparks I saw could have been, I feel awful that I didn't do anything about it...if I see that again, I definitely will. I hope no one has heard of anything bad happening on the NS line (I think it's the Ft. Wayne line) Saturday night in PA or OH. That's where I saw the train. I looked up their emergency number and it's in my cell phone now; hopefully I won't need it.

--Nora
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: US
  • 386 posts
Posted by Nora on Sunday, August 31, 2003 11:19 PM
After all of everyone's dire warnings about what the sparks I saw could have been, I feel awful that I didn't do anything about it...if I see that again, I definitely will. I hope no one has heard of anything bad happening on the NS line (I think it's the Ft. Wayne line) Saturday night in PA or OH. That's where I saw the train. I looked up their emergency number and it's in my cell phone now; hopefully I won't need it.

--Nora
  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Sunday, August 31, 2003 10:43 PM
Hi Jim and Joe,

The locomotives your are referring to were a trade for grain, a elevator co-op sent grain, in exchange for the locos, to use at their elevators and pull unit trains for them,.
I belive it was Acrher Daniel Midland, but not sure.
The locomotives are big, ugly boxs, very primitive by anyones standards, none of the brake components could be swapped with American components, the traction motors were wired oddly, the whole deal was a bust.
The FRA condemened the locos as unsafe, and the cost to bring them up the FRA miminum standards would exceed the cost of new American built road power.
These things are huge, as long as a SD90Mac, and about as tall.
They still sit, as of last year sometime, on a fenced sideing just off the Brown Industrial lead in Jacintoport, on Jacintoport blvd.
As far as I know, they have never been started, nor have they moved since we towed them out there and parked them.
Its been about a year since I worked that lead, so they may be gone for scrap.
Climbed into one, the engineers seat was a barstool top on a pedestal, the conductor and brakeman seat were fold down metal shelves.
The diesels were huge, but were coupled to generators, old copies of what looks like GE generators, not alternators like most locomotives from the 60s and up.
They ride on 6 axel trucks, and if I remember correctly, the center axel was offset towards the center of the loco on both front and rear trucks.

The control stand looked like something copied from the early EMD stands in SW 6s and 9s.
No such thing as a toliet, even though with their tall front hoods, one would fit quite nicley.
They are painted a industrial orange/brown with a white strip, the orange/brown has faded to almost a peach color.
The front hood had what looked like a steam generator in it, but it was so rusted and beat up that it could have been a kitchen stove for all I could tell.

All of the control panel switches, both on the stand and the back wall, appeared to be plain old household light switches.
The overhead light had a pullchain on it.
No A/C, or heating unit that I could see or find.

And it appeared that they couldnt be run MUed to each other, they only had a single air hose for the train brake on the pilots, nothing else.
If they did run in MU, then a engineer would have had to have been on each unit to operate the throttle, I couldnt find a MU plug, or anything that even resembled one.
Junk is a nice way to describe these motors.

If this is an example of standard Russian mainline freight locomotives, I really pity the crews.

Next time I get out that way, if they are still there I will get you guys some photos.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    March 2002
  • 9,265 posts
Posted by edblysard on Sunday, August 31, 2003 10:43 PM
Hi Jim and Joe,

The locomotives your are referring to were a trade for grain, a elevator co-op sent grain, in exchange for the locos, to use at their elevators and pull unit trains for them,.
I belive it was Acrher Daniel Midland, but not sure.
The locomotives are big, ugly boxs, very primitive by anyones standards, none of the brake components could be swapped with American components, the traction motors were wired oddly, the whole deal was a bust.
The FRA condemened the locos as unsafe, and the cost to bring them up the FRA miminum standards would exceed the cost of new American built road power.
These things are huge, as long as a SD90Mac, and about as tall.
They still sit, as of last year sometime, on a fenced sideing just off the Brown Industrial lead in Jacintoport, on Jacintoport blvd.
As far as I know, they have never been started, nor have they moved since we towed them out there and parked them.
Its been about a year since I worked that lead, so they may be gone for scrap.
Climbed into one, the engineers seat was a barstool top on a pedestal, the conductor and brakeman seat were fold down metal shelves.
The diesels were huge, but were coupled to generators, old copies of what looks like GE generators, not alternators like most locomotives from the 60s and up.
They ride on 6 axel trucks, and if I remember correctly, the center axel was offset towards the center of the loco on both front and rear trucks.

The control stand looked like something copied from the early EMD stands in SW 6s and 9s.
No such thing as a toliet, even though with their tall front hoods, one would fit quite nicley.
They are painted a industrial orange/brown with a white strip, the orange/brown has faded to almost a peach color.
The front hood had what looked like a steam generator in it, but it was so rusted and beat up that it could have been a kitchen stove for all I could tell.

All of the control panel switches, both on the stand and the back wall, appeared to be plain old household light switches.
The overhead light had a pullchain on it.
No A/C, or heating unit that I could see or find.

And it appeared that they couldnt be run MUed to each other, they only had a single air hose for the train brake on the pilots, nothing else.
If they did run in MU, then a engineer would have had to have been on each unit to operate the throttle, I couldnt find a MU plug, or anything that even resembled one.
Junk is a nice way to describe these motors.

If this is an example of standard Russian mainline freight locomotives, I really pity the crews.

Next time I get out that way, if they are still there I will get you guys some photos.
Stay Frosty,
Ed

23 17 46 11

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 35 posts
Posted by joho2486 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 10:32 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2

I have a question, Are Illinois Central and Kansas City Southern considered to be class 1 railroads?

Willy


Illinois Central is owned by Canadian National, and at last word, CN was in the process of phasing out the IC name in IC territory, replacing it with CN. As for Kansas City Southern, it is classified as a Class I, though it is the smallest of the Class I railroads. This is in the center of a huge debate over who is going to buy it, and whether this transaction would spark the last round of mergers.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 35 posts
Posted by joho2486 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 10:32 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2

I have a question, Are Illinois Central and Kansas City Southern considered to be class 1 railroads?

Willy


Illinois Central is owned by Canadian National, and at last word, CN was in the process of phasing out the IC name in IC territory, replacing it with CN. As for Kansas City Southern, it is classified as a Class I, though it is the smallest of the Class I railroads. This is in the center of a huge debate over who is going to buy it, and whether this transaction would spark the last round of mergers.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 35 posts
Posted by joho2486 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 10:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by w2alb

Boy! What a thread for me, who knows so little it's embarrasing.

My grandfather worked for the NC&StL, among others, starting at 14 years old. He didn't tell me much about his days on the line, so I remain largely ignorant.

For many years I lived across the street (separated by a jungle) from the L&N mainline and yard in Marietta, GA. Never forget the night the water tower caught fire and burned about half up!

Today's stupid question : what do the last letters of reporting marks signify? The only one I know is that X means a leased car. Thus, CSX usually marks cars CSXT (not leased). Can some kind and knowledgable soul enlighten me (and, probably, most of us?

Mungo


As for the other part of the question, the "T" in the reporting mark CSXT means "Transportation." Obviously, as you have stated, CSX can't use it's name as a reporting mark, as "X" signifies that the equipment belongs to a leasing firm.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 35 posts
Posted by joho2486 on Sunday, August 31, 2003 10:28 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by w2alb

Boy! What a thread for me, who knows so little it's embarrasing.

My grandfather worked for the NC&StL, among others, starting at 14 years old. He didn't tell me much about his days on the line, so I remain largely ignorant.

For many years I lived across the street (separated by a jungle) from the L&N mainline and yard in Marietta, GA. Never forget the night the water tower caught fire and burned about half up!

Today's stupid question : what do the last letters of reporting marks signify? The only one I know is that X means a leased car. Thus, CSX usually marks cars CSXT (not leased). Can some kind and knowledgable soul enlighten me (and, probably, most of us?

Mungo


As for the other part of the question, the "T" in the reporting mark CSXT means "Transportation." Obviously, as you have stated, CSX can't use it's name as a reporting mark, as "X" signifies that the equipment belongs to a leasing firm.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 8:52 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2

Here's another question. When 2 trains meet why do the engineers turn the headlights to dim? I can never figure that one out.

Willy

GCOR rule5.9.1 requires that the headlight be dimmed when meeting an approaching move, and if stopped in a siding to shut hte headlight completely off if the opposing crew requests it on the radio. Kinda like dimming your bright lightsat night. Imanut
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, August 31, 2003 8:52 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Willy2

Here's another question. When 2 trains meet why do the engineers turn the headlights to dim? I can never figure that one out.

Willy

GCOR rule5.9.1 requires that the headlight be dimmed when meeting an approaching move, and if stopped in a siding to shut hte headlight completely off if the opposing crew requests it on the radio. Kinda like dimming your bright lightsat night. Imanut

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy